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Preventing Bed Bugs In Your Home

Evidence of bed bugs

Bed bugs are a major problem throughout the nation. These pests can be impossible to remove on your own, but by making yourself more familiar with them you can start to understand the best ways to prevent them from becoming a problem in your home. Consider these tips for preventing a bed bug infestation in your home:

1. Understand The Pest

Bed bugs are small oval-shaped pests that feed on blood. Bed bugs have been recorded as a problem since ancient times. It is thought that these pests first lived on bats, but eventually found their way into the human home. Early Greek civilisations had several well known tactics to avoid these pests, but most of these involved deterring bugs by placing bait near the bed.

Bed bugs first made their way to the U.S. when European settlers started to arrive stateside. More bugs arrived as settlers continued to travel to America, and by the time the 1930’s arrived, bed bugs were as common in American homes as mice. As many as one third of homes throughout Europe were also experiencing bed bug infestation during this time. By the time WWII arrived companies had started to use harsh chemicals in the home and the pests were nearly completely eradicated.

2. Safe Travels

Most bed bugs are brought into the home following travel. If you’re going to be staying a hotel do some research beforehand. New York, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit and Philadelphia are some of the cities that experience the most bed bug infestations. A quick online search for ‘bed bugs’ and the name and location of the hotel you are planning on staying in can sometimes show results of reported cases. There are also online databases where you can view reported bed bug activity throughout the country.

When you arrive at a hotel be cautious about where you sit your bags. The bed is the worse place that you could sit your luggage, if bed bugs are present they could hop right on. Many people don’t realize that these pests don’t live exclusively in beds, and sitting your bag on the room’s sofa could lead to the same problem. The only place that you should place your bags is on a luggage rack, which should be visually inspected beforehand. If there is not a luggage rack in your room call the front desk and have one brought to your room.

Consider lining your luggage with a plastic bag. Put all of your clothes in this bag and seal it tightly. When you return home empty the bag directly into your washing machine and wash and dry all clothes on the highest heat setting. This can kill bed bugs that sneak back to your home in the folds of your clothing, before they ever have the chance to make themselves at home.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

If all else fails and bed bugs do find their way into your home not all hope is lost. A professional pest control provider can put an end to the infestation problem in your home. There are several types of bed bug treatments available, some of which involve heating the home to a level that the pests are unable to tolerate. This tactic is extremely effective, but be careful to remove any objects from the home that could be damaged by this heat treatment.

If bed bugs find their way into your home give an experienced pest control provider a call to find out more about your options. Prevention is the best tool for fighting these pests, and by being diligent about protecting your baggage while in hotels you can greatly reduce the risk having to remove bed bugs from your home.